Walking Tours

10 Day Japan including 2 Days Nakasendo (Walk)

Combine the highlights of Japan with an escape into the Kiso Valley to discover the beautiful countryside and the traditional townships of the Nakasendo trail. Stay in "ryokan" traditional accommodation and enjoy delicious local food and a relaxing hot spring bath after the famous walk from Magome to Tsumago.

*inclusions shown in the bullet points - package does not include airfares

Day 01 - Arrive Tokyo

Welcome to Japan! Upon arrival at Narita International Airport clear customs with your luggage and make your way to the Arrivals Lobby.

Present your airport transfer coupon at the Limousine Bus counter and board the bus from the airport to your accommodation at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel. (80 mins)
Your accommodation at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel is a two minute walk across the road from the Takanawa Exit of JR Shinagawa Station.
At Shinagawa Station, visit the Information Centre at the Central Ticket Gates (09:00 - 19:00) and issue your 7 Day Japan Rail Pass to commence using from the Day 04. You can now make reservations at any time for the journeys on your itinerary ahead.

Shinagawa is the ideal place to stay for its convenient access to wide range of restaurants and shops. Shinagawa Station is a major stop on the JR Yamanote Line loop system which circumnavigates Tokyo.

Stay: Shinagawa Prince Hotel - 1/3

Day 02 - Tokyo

This morning board a JR Yamanote Line train to Shinjuku Station. (21 mins) At Shinjuku Station, take the West Exit and walk to the Keio Plaza Hotel, which is the meeting place for your 1-Day Tokyo Tour. Please be sure to arrive at least 10 minutes before the tour's departure time.

At 09:10, you will be collected from the JTB Sunrise Tours Sales Office on the 3rd Floor of Keio Plaza Hotel for your 1-Day Tokyo Tour operated by Sunrise Tour. You will be guided by an English-speaking Japanese local and transported by coach to the following sites:

Imperial Palace (Nijubashi Bridge) - Once home to Edo Castle, the center of development of Edo-Tokyo, this is now where you can find the Imperial Palace

Tsukiji - Tsukiji, an area known as "Tokyo's Kitchen" for many years. Even after the market relocated, the Outer Market remains bustling with its many shops offering food and food-related items. Walk along the alleys throughout the Outer Market and enjoy shopping for goods and tasting local food.

Senso-ji Temple & Nakamise Shopping Street - Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest temple, offers plenty to see including the bright red Kaminarimon Gate, a statue of the god of thunder, and a five-story pagoda. The bustling street known as "Nakamise" stretches for about 250 m from Kaminarimon Gate to Senso-ji Temple and is filled with a plethora of shops.

(Lunch)

Tea Ceremony Experience - Watch a graceful tea ceremony, then experience preparing tea yourself

Tokyo Tower - Enjoy a panoramic view of the famous Tokyo skyline from the main observation platform

The tour disbands upon arrival near Shinjuku Station West Exit around 6pm.

Stay: Shinagawa Prince Hotel - 2/3

Day 03 - Tokyo

From Shinagawa Station board a JR Yamanote Line train to Shibuya Station. (12 mins)

At Shibuya Station, exit via Hachiko-Guchi Exit for the famous Shibuya crossing. Enjoy a light refreshment at the Starbucks across the road and sit and one of their window seats that overlook the bustling pedestrian crossing. Shibuya is an area popular among young people and rich in cinemas, cafes, restaurants, department stores, fashion-store buildings and boutiques.

From Shibuya Station it is only one stop north to Harajuku Station on the Yamanote Line.

Exit via the Omotesando Exit for Yoyogi Park - where Tokyo;s talented sub-culture meets and performs. Regular acts include Elvis impersonators, magicians, dancers and rock bands.

For lunch, explore the selection in the side alleys off Takeshita Dori - the lively street that leads out from Harajuku Station (Takeshita Exit) and which prides itself as the font of new teenage Tokyo street fashion. Bargain hunters will enjoy a visit to 'Daiso' to delight in what you can buy for only 100 yen!

Running almost parallel to Takeshita Dori is Omotesando, a long street lined with international boutique brands.

From Harajuku Station, board a JR Yamanote Line train two stops north to Shinjuku Station - the busiest train station in Japan! Take time to explore some of the great shopping that surrounds the station. A walk to Takashimaya Times Square and an exploration of a shop called Tokyu Hands which sells a range of unique gadgets is recommended.

From the West Exit of Shinjuku Station walk 10 minutes through the high-rise business district to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Building to view the city skyline which is best seen at night. (9:30am-10:30pm / free entry)

Return to Shinagawa from Shinjuku on the JR Yamanote Line. (20 mins)

Stay: Shinagawa Prince Hotel - 3/3

Day 04 - Tokyo - Kiso Valley

Today is the first day of your 7 Day Japan Rail Pass.

Check-out of the Shinagawa Prince Hotel and from Shinagawa Station board a Hikari bullet train to Nagoya Station. (100 min) Make your way to the bullet train lines and from Nagoya Station board a Limited Express Shinano train to Kiso-Fukushima Station. (85 mins)

Upon your arrival in Kiso-Fukushima, leave your luggage at the Kiso Ontake Tourist Information Office which is located just across the road from the station. They can also provide you with maps, brochures and bus timetables.

Visit the old Fukushima check-point where travellers were once required to present their passes for travel along the Nakasendo route. The check-point served as a control on the movement of guns and women of feudal families who were not allowed to leave the capital. The attached museum displays original documents, weapons and travel passes, etc.

Cross the bridge to the other side of the river and visit Kozenji Temple, whose garden, designed by modern Japanese landscape architect, is the largest Karesansui-style (dry landscape) garden in the Orient.

Later, return to Kiso-Fukushima Station and take a taxi to your accommodation at the Komanoyu. (10 min) The Komanoyu has lovely hot spring baths for you to enjoy.

*Your stay at the Komanoyu includes dinner and breakfast daily

Stay: Komanoyu - 1/2

Day 05 - Kiso Valley

Today make the famous walk from Magome to Tsumago.

From Kiso-Fukushima Station board a Limited Express Shinano train to Nakatsugawa Station. From here, board a local bus to Magome.

Magome is the last of the eleven stations that make up the Kisoji portion of the Nakasendo route. The old Magome post town is well-known for its cobblestone streets and steep roads. Explore the teahouses and souvenir shops that line the streets of this quaint little town. Visit the town's iconic waterwheel which once was used to make rice flour, but now produces hydro-electricity for the town.

Walk the Magome-Tsumago Trail portion of the Nakasendo Route. Another of the post towns on the Nakasendo route, Tsumago is one of the best preserved, with the town going to great lengths to maintain the image of the Edo period. Cars are not permitted to drive down the main street during the day and telephone lines have been cleverly concealed to hide any signs of modern life.

From Tsumago bus stop, board a bus to Nagiso Station. From Nagiso Station board a train back to Kiso-Fukushima Station.

Stay: Komanoyu - 2/2

Day 06 - Kiso Valley - Kyoto

Check-out of the Komanoyu and board the courtesy shuttle bus back to the station. From Kiso-Fukushima Station board a Limited Express Shinano train to Nagoya Station. (100 mins) Change trains and board a Hikari bullet train to Kyoto Station. (35 mins)

Your accommodation at the Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo is a 2 minute walk from the Hachijoguchi Exit of the station.

After check in, commence exploring the sights of Japan's old capital. Use your Pasmo Cards to board a Subway Karasuma Line train 2 stops to Shijo Station for the busiest shopping district in Kyoto. There are a number of cafes, restaurants and shops to explore. Next, walk down to the Nishiki Food Market. (10 mins from Shijo Station) Here you can try various Japanese foods from traditional sweets to fresh seafood.

In the late afternoon walk towards Gion, Kyoto's famous entertainment district which is open until late at night. Gion is the one place in Japan where you may see Maiko or Geisha scampering between appointments. As darkness falls, watch the traditional lanterns gradually come to life as you wander down tiny alleys housing a variety of restaurants offering tempting cuisine.

Stay: Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo - 1/4

Day 07 - Kyoto

Commence your exploration of the ancient city of Kyoto. Please make your way to the Sunrise Tours Desk (B1F) within the Avanti shopping complex and arrive 10 minutes prior to the official pick up time. Refer to your tour voucher and you will see the Avanti shopping complex is directly opposite the Hachijo East Exit of Kyoto Station. At 08:30am, you will be collected to join your Kyoto Morning Tour operated by Sunrise Tours.

Your English-speaking local guide will take you by bus to Nijo Castle, the Golden Pavilion, and the Kyoto Imperial Palace. The tour will disband at the Kyoto Station with a likely return being around 1:30pm.

In the afternoon, from Kyoto Station bus terminal board a local bus #100 or #206 and get off at the Gojozaka bus stop. From the bus stop take the 10 minute walk to Kiyomizu-dera Temple (6am - 6pm/ JPY 300).

Walk up this attractive winding road lined with colourful souvenir and craft shops. Kiyomizu-dera is famous for its giant wooden stage overlooking panoramic views of Kyoto and its main hall purely constructed of wood and sustained by huge columns and beams without the use of a single nail, screw or bolt.

Return to Kyoto Station in the late afternoon. Be sure to visit the Sky Plaza Observation Deck on top of Kyoto Station for a free panoramic view of the surrounding area of Kyoto. This modern station also contains a large shopping mall, including hotels, theatres, specialty shops, restaurants and event venues.

Stay: Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo - 2/4

Day 08 - Kyoto - Nara - Kyoto

Continue your exploration of Kyoto by boarding a JR Nara Line train from Kyoto Station to Inari Station. (5 mins)

From Inari Station visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine which was featured in the film Memoirs of a Geisha. It is one of the oldest Shinto Shrines in Kyoto which is famous for its thousand red torii gates which lead up the mountain.

Return to Inari Station and board the JR Nara Line to Tofukuji Station. (2 mins) Tofukuji Temple is a 10 minute walk from the station and is home to the Hojo Gardens, one of the great Zen gardens of Japan. (08:30-16:00 - JPY400)

In the late morning, from Tofukuji Station board a JR Nara Line Rapid Service train to Nara Station. (50 min)

Upon your arrival at Nara Station, walk to the picturesque Nara Park where tame deer roam. At end of the park is the World Heritage listed Todaiji Temple, the world's largest wooden architecture housing the giant bronze Buddha that soars 16 metres in height. (JPY600/8:00am-4:30pm).

On the way back to Nara Station, stroll through the Nara Machi (town centre) an old precinct full of traditional houses, shops and tearooms.

Return to Kyoto in the late afternoon.

Stay: Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo - 3/4

Day 09 - Kyoto

Today, make a trip out to the Arashiyama area.

From Kyoto Station board a JR Sanin-Main Line (Sagano Line) train to JR Saga-Arashiyama Station. (15 min)

Arashiyama is particularly famous for its beautiful scenery. Visit Tenryuji-Temple (8:30am - 17:30pm/JPY500). The main attraction of the temple is the Zen garden dating back to the 14th century.

Leave Tenryuji-Temple to head down to the bamboo groves and peer up at the towering bamboo from the narrow pathway. The bamboo is used to manufacture many local products such as baskets, cups and boxes.

Other places of interest in the Arashiyama area include Togetsukyo Bridge and the Monkey Park atop Mt. Iwatayama (09:00 - 17:00/JPY550).

In the late afternoon, return to your accommodation by boarding a JR San-in Main Line (Sagano) train from Saga Arashiyama Station back to Kyoto. (16 mins)

Stay: Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo - 4/4

Day 10 - Kyoto - Airport

Today is the final day of your 7 Day Japan Rail Pass.

Check out of your accommodation and leave your luggage in storage at the porter's desk for your later return.

Spend your last morning in Kyoto completing any final sightseeing or shopping.
For those departing from Tokyo, board a Hikari bullet train from Kyoto to Shinagawa Station. (2.5 hrs) Within Shinagawa Station board the Narita Express Train to Narita Airport. (65 min)

For those departing from Osaka, board the direct Haruka train service from Kyoto Station to Kansai International Airport. (80min)

*Please note all airport trains must be reserved in advance.

Be sure to check in for your scheduled flight at least 2 hours prior to its departure.